Paramount Advertising President John Halley Steps Down After 18 Years

A pivotal era ends for Paramount Advertising. With Halley’s departure, the company’s future ad strategy—and its next leader—hang in the balance.

, and Administrator

2025 December 2 . 1:18 PM

1 min read

In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are... — In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are mentioned in the newspaper.

Paramount Advertising President John Halley Steps Down After 18 Years

John Halley, the long-serving president of Paramount Advertising, will leave the company in March 2024. His exit follows 18 years at the firm, where he played a key role in shaping its ad strategy and digital growth. The move comes as Paramount navigates major restructuring after mergers and layoffs.

Halley first joined Viacom in 2007, overseeing cable TV and digital properties that later became part of Paramount’s portfolio. He made significant changes to the company’s advertising approach, including scrapping the traditional CBS upfront in favour of smaller, targeted dinners for top ad agencies.

Halley’s exit marks the end of an era for Paramount Advertising. His replacement has not yet been named, leaving questions about the future direction of the company’s ad division. The ongoing restructuring and potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery suggest more shifts ahead for the media giant.